Monday, August 31, 2015

An anxiety disorder disrupts fourteen-year-old Audrey’s daily life. She has been making slow but steady progress with Dr. Sarah, but when Audrey meets Linus, her brother’s gaming teammate, she is energized. She connects with him. Audrey can talk through her fears with Linus in a way she’s never been able to do with anyone before. As their friendship deepens and her recovery gains momentum, a sweet romantic connection develops, one that helps not just Audrey but also her entire family.

I was a little hesitant going into this book due to the fact that the main character was dealing with anxiety. I was worried it was going to either be too dark or depressing, or it was going to seem unrealistic. Now, I have never dealt with the issues to the extend Audrey did, but it enjoyed the way the author portrayed it in this book. I can't claim that is was 100% realistic, but it felt realistic to me.This book was funny, heartwarming, and honest. If you are looking for an extremely heartbreaking book, then this is not the book you would want to read.

I was nervous that Audrey would seem immature and hard to relate to because she was 14 years old. This was not the case at all. Audrey was extremely relatable. It was obvious that she was a young girl, but I was never bothered by that because she never was extremely immature or annoying. I really loved Audrey. I do not think people should turn away from this book just because she is 14 years old.

My favorite part of this book was the family dynamic. Audrey's family was loud, obnoxious, and chaotic. They were also super supportive and loving. The family added so many funny moments to this book, and they also made the book heartwarming. I absolutely loved their incorporation into the story and how they helped move the book along.

I absolutely loved Audrey and her family, but I also adored Linus. Linus was so precious. I thought he was a great friend and Audrey, and I was extremely excited by their romantic development. Audrey and Linus were so cute together. They made me say "awwwww" out loud so many times. I was happy that the author didn't make it seem like Linus magically cured Audrey with his love. Linus supported Audrey and helped her, but it seemed natural. I thought the author did a great job showing that mental illnesses are not something that can be cured overnight.

Overall, I absolutely adored this book. This was such a hilarious and touching book. I am so happy that I purchased this book. This book was one of my favorite books that I have read in a while. I cannot recommend this book enough.

Brady Smith is a chef in a very well known restaurant. He's also a former marine. He has the scars to prove it. He's more of an introvert and a man of few words. Brady doesn't believe Gage can be interested in him.

Gage Simpson is a happy guy despite a horrible upbringing until he was placed under the Dempseys' family. There he learned what it is to be loved unconditionally. He gets enough attention with his golden looks, enough to be nicknamed Golden and Baby Thor. He's dedicated to his profession as a firefighter like all his other foster siblings. He's the comic relief most of the time but he also hides his emotional scars much better than Brady does.

When the two are together, their chemistry is amazing. The only problem is making it work. Both of them have to open up to move forward.

I recommend reading this series in order. It's much more fun that way. Gage and Brady's relationship had a slow build up. Having both POV's helped me love both characters. I was rooting for them the whole time.

Next is Alex and Eli.

Cliffhanger : No

4/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Elena Rosales has busted her ass to get into a good college. She’s the only one in her family ever to attend, and expectations are high. No pressure. But Elena’s got this one in the bag, because she’s as dependable as the molecules she studies, as reliable as the chemical reactions that comfort her in their predictability. Until they don’t.

Elena has always wondered why her mother abandoned her on her first birthday. It’s not until she turns eighteen and her chemistry experiments go berserk that she learns the truth: Her mother wasn’t human, and the Fae are willing to harm those Elena loves if she doesn’t use her power over the elements to cure them of a deadly disease.
Derek, Elena’s brooding neighbor, isn’t the friendliest guy, but he has access to an off-hours lab and is willing to help Elena create the antivirus. He has his own secrets to keep, and this business Elena is mixed up in could blow his cover. But when Elena and Derek get together, more than chemicals spark fire-and they soon discover just how complicated attraction can get when they find themselves on the other side of the portal, fighting for survival. Lives collide, and allegiance and love are tested, in Fates Divided.

I was immediately drawn to this book because of the fae aspect of the book. I was very pleased through out the book with that aspect of the book! Jules created a really interesting fae world. I was always intrigued by the fae and I wanted to learn more about what their world was like. I also really enjoyed a majority of the characters in this book.They got annoying at times and the did some dumb things, but I liked them overall. My favorite character was Derek. I thought he was extremely swoon worthy, and I was excited when ever the chapters were from his point of view.

I liked the basics of this book: the characters, the romance, and the fantasy. However, there was just something missing from this book. There was nothing that really grabbing me. There were times were I just felt like the chapters and dialogue dragged on. Parts of the book were really interesting, and other parts just felt a little dull. This book just didn't suck me in like I was hoping it would.

Overall, I did enjoy this book. I would suggest you to give this a try if you like fae books with some romance!

3.5 / 5 Fangs

*This ebook was given to me in exchange for an honest review. *

About Jules Barnard

Before turning to storytelling, Jules earned a master’s degree in public health and spent many an hour running statistical analysis–until she realized her favorite part of the job was writing reports. She decided to cut out the math and add in some hot guys, and so began her career as a novelist.
Jules is a Northern California native living on the coast with her husband and two children. She has no impulse control around cupcakes and credits herself with the ability to read while running on the treadmill or burning dinner.

Dan "The Man" Currington is on a mission in the Andes Mountains of Peru. The last thing he was expecting is too see the woman he has been fantasizing about for the last few weeks. The last time he saw Penni DePaul, they were both on a mission and the death toll was high.

Penni DePaul is a strong woman. The first time she met Dan she was part of the Secret Service. She 's smart, knows her way around guns and she can protect herself. Penni has unfinished business with Dan, she goes looking for him at the BKI headquarters and from there to Peru.

Dan and Penni shared a connection but in order to enjoy it, they will have to survive first.

This book has tons of action. There is evil surrounding the team and Penni is in the center of it. I admired Penni's confidence and determination while under attack. She never wavered.

Dan had a lot to process. He lost his first love and now life has given him a second chance. He didn't try to fool himself or Penni of his true feelings. He was ready to move forward. He didn't turn away from happiness.

Since this is my first book in the series, I missed some of the importance of the secondary characters. I did like that the team behaved like a real family and they welcomed Penni to the fold without doubting that she was what Dan needed.

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Samantha, Mason, and Logan are all together and united with one common enemy: Park Sebastian, the king of fraternity douchebags.

With professional football scouts eyeing his every move, Mason Kade has to walk the line for the first time in his life. Any move he makes against Sebastian has to be perfect and under the radar. One mistake, and his career is over.

Sebastian has other plans. Mason’s career isn’t his target—not even close. Wanting to destroy Mason completely, Sebastian knows he must hit him where it hurts the most: Samantha, who doesn’t give a rat’s ass that she’s the target.

Sam is bound and determined to protect Mason herself, no matter the cost, but what if the cost is beyond her imagination? What if this time, the villain wins?

Excerpt One

She was confident. She moved with purpose.

It hit me how much she changed from when she’d moved in with Analise. She’d lost everything. She hadn’t cared about anything, and she had been a badass because of it—striking out, not giving a shit. Logan and I took her in, and then she had something to lose—me. She got scared. She was pushed around by the girls and bullied by her own mother, and through all that crap, she’d still fought. She’d clawed her way back up, protecting and loving Logan and me at the same time.

Good god. I wanted to pull her on top of me. I wanted to lose myself in her.

When I sat on the couch, Sam had a knowing grin, and she sat right where I wanted her, right where maybe she shouldn’t have. My hands held her hips as she straddled me. She looped her arms around my neck and rested her forehead to mine.

Her grin never dimmed, not even as she teased, “Why do I feel like we’re in high school, and I don’t want my mom to catch us making out in the basement?”

Shit, I love this woman.

A smooth and lazy low laugh flitted from her lips. I waited for her to find my mouth with hers, but she didn’t.

She held back and her eyes traced over my face. “What happened today?”

I didn't begin writing until after undergraduate college. There'd been storylines and characters in my head all my life, but it came to a boiling point one day and I HAD to get them out of me. So the computer was booted up and I FINALLY felt it click. Writing is what I needed to do. After that, I had to teach myself how to write. I can't blame my teachers for not teaching me all those years in school. It was my fault. I was one of the students that was wishing I was anywhere but at school! So after that day, it took me lots of work until I was able to put together something that resembled a novel. I'm hoping I got it right since someone must be reading this profile! And I hope you keep enjoying my future stories.

Perhaps, and I might have enjoyed it under different circumstances. But the bottom line is- he won't stop until I'm dead.

I've done my best to stay in the shadows. Laying low and only speaking when I absolutely need to. It worked well for me until Ryder walked into my life. Or more accurately, jogged.

The dark and broody owner of Callaghan Securities invaded my reclusive bubble when I least expected it. Knowing that my time spent avoiding people could be coming to an end, I have an important decision to make. Am I able to open up about my past? Let him in, let him help?

Or will I embrace the cold hearted bitch I have become and leave him behind like everything else in my shit life.

Ryder has done his best to break my armor. It’s been a slow process but he’s reminded me what it’s like to feel again. I could never thank him enough for the toe curling and life altering experiences. He’s been my light in a hurricane-but even I know the sun can’t shine all the time. I have a big decision to make and it’s not as simple as just going left or right, forward or backward.

I’ve heard people say that when we hit a crossroad in life, the only difference is that one way is longer than the other. (Believe me when I say that these people are full of shit-don’t listen to them.) I’ve hit every fucking intersection from Canada to the USofA and no matter what direction I take, the distance is always the same. The reason for this is because it’s not about the distance, it’s about the outcome of the journey.

This journey of mine only leaves me two choices and neither satisfy me. Do I continue on my path towards retribution for my family? Or do I focus on the first man to crack my ice cold heart? He’s the only man who has ever made me feel safe at night; the first to truly accept all of me- scars included.

Payton always had one rule she lived by, no boyfriends until after college. No one seemed to agree with her, even her own mother who had her at age sixteen. Returning to school after an accident that flipped Payton’s world upside down left her feeling out of control. Holding on to her rule seemed to be her only lifeline.

Josh had been letting the past rule his life for too long. Finally being at school, he’d become his own man, and he’d been putting all that behind him. Just when he thought he had it all put together, life got crazy. Not only did his ex show back up, but Josh also found he couldn’t get Payton Whitmore out of his head.

Once Josh convinces Payton to give him a shot, she’s so closed off that he wonders if it’s even worth it. Josh can tell there’s something special about Payton though, and as soon as he goes all in, he’s ready to show her that some rules are made to be broken.

“Hey look! It’s Geoff.” Payton pointed out his car pulling into campus and waved real big at him. When he flashed his lights, she knew that he noticed her.

He parked his car in his parking lot and got out. When he was out, Payton saw him wave back at her. She was so glad she had a friend like him. The streetlight illuminated him and he was looking sharp. Payton was always surprised he didn’t have a girlfriend. When an extra door closed, she realized he wasn’t alone, and her eyes darted over to the passenger side, and dread filled her. She tried to whisper, but she was sure that with all the booze in her system it wasn’t really all that quiet.

“Hailey! That’s him!”

“Who? Wha-“

“Him!” Payton cut her off. “It’s the guy I was telling you about. With Geoff.”

“Damn girl, you were right. He’s hot.”

“Quick look away. I think he’s staring at us,” Payton said frantically trying to find something else to concentrate on. She was looking around like a spaz, but she couldn’t help herself. Suddenly she noticed Hailey wasn’t only looking at the guy, she’d turned and was downright staring at him.

“What are you doing?” Payton hissed.

“I’m looking at this nice specimen of a man that seems to be staring at you. Pity you can’t look back, it’s a nice view.”

“What? No!” Payton felt her cheeks heat even more than they already were. She risked a quick glance, and sure enough, he was looking at her.

“Well, do something,” Hailey encouraged.

“What am I supposed to do? I’m not going over there. I’d make an ass out of myself.”

“So?”

“So, I…oh hell,” Not having much reasoning still from all the Patrón running through her she yelled the first thing that came to mind as loud as she could, “HEY! YOU’RE KINDA CUTE!”

Payton planted her palm on her face, What the hell? Of all the things, that had to come out? Knowing she had to get out of there now, she started to pull on Hailey’s arm trying to get her to move. “What are you doing? Let’s go!” Payton hissed at her friend.

“I’m not going anywhere, you can leave without me if you must, but I’m staying right here.”

Payton knew Hailey was playing this card because it was a pact they had. It was best friend rule number one. You never EVER left the other alone especially when it was night and they were drunk. Payton and Hailey always made sure the other was home and safe. It looked like her BFF was using the rule against her tonight though.

“I kinda hate you right now,” Payton muttered under her breath.

“What was that?”

“Come on, they’re on the way over. If you love me, you’ll go, now.”

“Nope. Consider this my Christmas gift to you.”

Payton looked over and realized it wasn’t just Mr. Hot coming, but Geoff was headed their way too. Maybe she could still save this. Oh, who was she kidding? She couldn’t save this. She’d made an idiot of herself plain and simple. Hailey wasn’t doing anything to help; in fact, she was just rubbing it in.

Payton leaned in close and said, “Just remember Hailey, paybacks suck.” She plastered a fake smile on her face when she heard them approach. Turning towards Geoff she said, “Hey Geoff, buddy, how was your poker night?”

Geoff smirked, “Not too bad. I got creamed though.” He leaned in and gave her a hug. It took her by surprise. They’d been friends for a while, but they’d never really been the kind of friends who hugged just because. Something was off. Who was she kidding? The whole situation was off.

Geoff cocked an eyebrow probably realizing he’d been scolded. No one used Geoff’s full name, ever. “Well, this is my friend Josh. Josh, this is Hailey, and that’s Payton.”

“It’s nice to finally meet you,” Josh said with a knowing grin to Payton like it was more of an inside joke.

Payton’s cheeks reddened, “Thanks. I can’t get you outta my head either.” When she realized what she’d actually said, she planted her palm on her face. Stupid Patrón shots. “Anyway, sorry, we’ve gotta go.”

Payton grabbed Hailey and yanked her towards the door. It wasn’t easy since Hailey was busy laughing her butt off. After she shoved Hailey in the door, she turned back to the guys.

“Night guys!”

“Night Mr. Gorgeous,” Hailey yelled through the open door, and Payton’s mouth dropped open. She needed to find a hole to bury herself in.

“Hailey!” Turning back towards the guys, “Sorry, we’ve had way too much to drink. Can we just pretend this whole thing didn’t happen?” She studied everyone’s faces and was mortified, “Didn’t think so.”

Emily Robertson graduated from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas with a degree in Theatre. She is an avid reader and enjoys reading New Adult and Romance as much as she does writing them. She currently resides in the Washington D.C. area with her husband and two children. She loves connecting with and talking to other readers by e-mail, or on Facebook or Twitter. You can get information on her upcoming works by signing up for her newsletter.